Category: Safe Driving

Life, Safe Driving

The Finer Moments In Life

Anthony Dixon

Driving isn’t about racing your Vehicle through City Streets. It’s not about smashing a fine Technologically crafted Vehicle sending it to the Junkyard. It’s about going places so far and remotely located, you ordinarily would not find. Places where you can unwind and recoil from a stressful week. Places to be creative, places to find yourself. Driving isn’t the place to give in to your flight of fancies and become a Bobblehead.

 

 

It’s a place to be your very best at all times, knowing that there are People out there that doesn’t give a Plugged Nickel about their Lives or yours. In my Neck of the Woods Tampa Florida I am absolutely sickened by the Fatalities caused by Careless and Reckless Driving. It appears that within a thirty miles radius there is at least one Fatality daily. Pedestrians mowed down, Bicyclists who didn’t make it back home, Motorcyclists mangled and Gifted young people changed for Life.

 

 

What are these People thinking, racing two thousand pounds of Steel through City Streets like their name was Dale. There is no other areas in life where Stupidity Rules than our Roadways. Two days ago a young Man seventeen or eighteen years old, he was a gifted Student and an Athlete with great potentials. From the Video I saw he was traveling a little to fast when he approached the intersection. For him it was a simple veering off to the right, to his left someone waiting to make a left turn misjudged his speed and took the left turn.

 

The Collision sent his car airborne flipping six or seven times. Now he is laying in a Hospital Bed in critical condition. This young man had the Face to sell products on Television, not anymore. If he had taken his Driving as seriously as I have been Preaching, he would have noticed the anxious Driver to his left, catastrophe avoided. I respect and enjoy life passionately, so every time I get behind the wheel, my Mind automatically goes in defense mode. I leave nothing to chances and your good senses.

 

 

I drive like someone navigating the Rapids, always looking for Rocks and drop off. I have been driving like that for over fifty years with great succes, with two accidents That weren’t my fault, no one injured or killed. My Driving Instructor told me to always drive like I am the only one out there that knows what I am doing. It has worked for me, it takes a special Mindfulness when you are behind the wheel. Always looking out for the other Guy is a way of life when you are behind the wheel.

Safe Driving

The Life You Save

Anthony Dixon

 

 

Focused

Like the man said, keep your eyes on the Road and your Hands upon the wheel. There is not one Day that I am Driving that I don’t see at least one Idiot Driving with the Cell Phone in hand totally focused on the wrong thing. Messing with the Android while you are Driving is as deadly as Driving under the influence, maybe worse. The few times that I drove Impaired, I was so apprehensive and focused, knowing that I was doing wrong. I drove better than the sober ones fidgeting with everything from the Radio to the Cell Phone. One of the most Minding boggling experience I ever had was traveling Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania clocking 75.

 

 

A Business Woman Driving a Durango, Cell wedged between shoulder and Ear, Note Pad in one hand pen in the other, taking Notes. I imagined her Knee was keeping the Vehicle straight. She blew my Doors off doing 85 my Jaw popped wide open with her amazing multitasking abilities. What People driving oversized Vehicles do not realize is at high speed and making contact with a Compact Vehicle more times than not there are fatalities. Eric was a coworker of mine who always drove like he had a point to prove that he was good, even when he was stoned. One Day this Idiot killed a Woman crossing Queens Blvd mindlessly, regardless of the Pedestria’s fault, I know that if I killed a pedestrian like that, I would surrender my Licence and never Drive again not Eric.

 

 

That was forty years ago he probably had Killed again the mindless creature he was. Well my Friend there are many Eric’s out there so you can’t afford to take your Eyes off the Road and be distracted. Eric is Driving an oversized Vehicle at speed above the limit. There are so many mindless creatures out there driving Pickup Trucks like they were Maseratis, it is absolutely scary. What they fail to understand is that the size of the Vehicle compounded with a high rate of speed creates deadly outcomes when involved in an accident. Let’s take it one step further, a Truck in the hands of a Drunk. Three Days ago that scenario played out with deadly consequences.

 

 

A Drunk driving a Pickup decided to put the Vehicle in park in the left Lane of I.75, one of the busiest Roadways in the World. That Alcohol driven mentality caused a three Car pileup. They all went to the Hospital, a good Samaritan retired Firefighter/ Paramedic lost his life when he stopped to help the Drunk Driver involved in the accident. He was providing medical care to the Drunk on the shoulder of the road, when a third car hit the Truck. Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the last vehicle to become part of the pileup failed to see the initial collision. Following the final collision the Truck burst in flames and burned completely.

 

 

All this could have been avoided with two principles that I travel by. Never Overdrive, if you can’t see 100 yards up the Road take your foot off the Gas, if you don’t posses Gyroscope Eyes and you can’t see around corners take your foot off the Gas and cover the Break Pedal. Secondly Focus as far down the Road that your Eyes can see collecting Data such as breaklights glares and shadows. Once traveling in Pennsylvania I was traveling at a good clip, focusing about a half mile down the Road I saw a shadow in the middle of the Road, it wasn’t moving. As I got closer my focus became intense.

 

 

I never took my eyes off that shadow. Right on top of it less than thirty yards away I realized that it was a Black Bear standing over six feet tall and about nine hundred pounds. I had plenty of time to do evasive manoeuvres, It would have destroyed the subcompact I was driving and there would have been Bear Stakes for ten yards. Being adept behind the wheel save lives. Always focus like your Life and others depends on it, because it does.

 

Life, Safe Driving

Safe Driving is no Accident

Anthony Dixon

 

 

Safe Driving is no Accident

Before I took the written Test I would read the Driver’s Manual just about every day to make sure that I passed on the first attempt. Since then I don’t think that I have ever glanced at it in over fifty years, that is a flaw in the Licensing process. In over fifty years of Driving I believe that I should have been required to take the written Test at least a couple of times to make sure that I remembered the Fundamentals of Safe Driving.

We are living in a fast-paced moving World, we read articles on Health, Beauty, Dieting and Economy to stay abreast of the Times, Driving should not be slighted. Overconfidence and Distracted Driving demands that we stay sharp at all times when you are behind the Wheel. Never take for granted that your fellow Drivers are as contentious capable and astute as yourself, that is a big flaw in Driving. Remember to always Drive like you are the only one on the Road who knows what you are doing, I promise you that attitude saves Lives.

These are things that I have been saying in over twenty thousand words of Safe Driving Blogs, all in one place, this should be my last words on the Subject, but it probably won’t be.

 

Driving safety tips every driver should know how to drive safely.

When you’re behind the wheel of a car – whether alone or with passengers – driving safely should always be your top concern. We’re more distracted than ever, so it’s crucial to know the basics of safe driving and practice them every time you’re on the road. Here are some safe driving tips:

Top 4 driving safety tips

Focus on driving

Keep 100% of your attention on driving at all times – no multi-tasking.

Don’t use your phone or any other electronic device while driving.

Slow down. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.

 

 

Drive “defensively”

Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing, and expect the unexpected.

Assume other motorists will do something crazy, and always be prepared to avoid it.

Keep a 2-second cushion between you and the car in front of you.

Make that 4 seconds if the weather is bad.

Make a safe driving plan

Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business.

Adjust your seat, mirrors and climate controls before putting the car in gear.

Pull over to eat or drink. It takes only a few minutes.

Practice safety

Secure cargo that may move around while the vehicle is in motion.

Don’t attempt to retrieve items that fall to the floor.

Have items needed within easy reach – such as toll fees, toll cards and garage passes.

Always wear your seat belt and drive sober and drug-free.

Don’t allow children to fight or climb around in your car – they should be buckled in their seats at all times. Too much noise can easily distract you from focus on the road.

 

Avoid driving when you’re tired. Be aware that some medications cause drowsiness and make operating a vehicle very dangerous. Learn more about drowsy driving.

Always use caution when changing lanes. Cutting in front of someone, changing lanes too fast or not using your signals may cause an accident or upset other drivers.

Be extra careful while driving during deer season.

Common sense about safe driving

What to do after an accident

If you’re in an accident, first make sure no one in the car is injured. Next, check on the passengers in the other vehicle, pedestrians and anyone else nearby to make sure they’re OK. Then do these five things:

 

Stay at the scene

Leaving can result in legal consequences, like fines or additional violations.

Call 911 or the local police immediately

They’ll dispatch an officer and medical personnel to the scene of the accident. Once the cops arrive, wait for them to complete an accident report.

Stay in the car

If you’re on a busy highway, stay inside the car and wait for the police or an ambulance. It’s dangerous if passengers stand along a freeway or other road with lots of traffic.

Stay calm

Don’t get into an argument or a fight with the other driver. Simply exchange contact and insurance information. If possible, also get the name and phone numbers of witnesses.

Contact your insurance provider

Call your insurance provider to report the claim. Your agent will ask you for any paperwork you receive about the accident, and will give you important information on getting your car fixed.

Find out more about what to do after an accident or a hit-and-run.

 

 

What to do when pulled over

If you notice that a police car is following you with the lights flashing, pull over to the side of the road safely and quickly. Wait inside your car for the officer to approach, and be prepared to:

Turn on the light

Turn on your interior light at night and keep your hands where the officer can see them, preferably on the steering wheel.

Keep your hands visible

Don’t reach under your seat or into your glove box. This may cause the officer to think you’re reaching for a weapon or hiding something.

Provide necessary documentation

Give your license and proof of insurance to the officer if asked. If the officer asks you to step out of your car, do so without sudden or threatening movements.

Be polite

Stay calm − don’t become argumentative, disorderly or abusive − and never attempt to bribe the officer.

If a citation is issued, present your story in traffic court if you feel you’ve been unfairly treated. You may be represented by a lawyer and, if necessary, you’ll be heard by a judge or magistrate.

 

Things to know about speeding & traffic laws

Some roadways are designated as low-speed zones. These include areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as school zones and streets lots of intersections close together. Driving over the speed limit can put you and others at risk of harm.

Never pass a stopped bus displaying a stop sign to its left. That means children are crossing the street.

If you hear a siren coming behind you, pull to the side if you can, stop and wait until the police car or fire truck goes by.

Completely stop at stop signs and look for other drivers and pedestrians before you proceed.

Obey the posted speed limit at all times. Speeding tickets are costly, and penalties for speeding can include fines, court appearances and loss or suspension of your driving privileges. Also, depending on your insurance policy, speeding tickets can raise your rates.

When parking your vehicle, always be mindful of handicapped signs, fire hydrants, bus stop zones, parking restrictions for certain times of day, and parking spots that require permits. Just remember to heed all of the signs. Even if you have to circle the block a couple times, it sure beats getting fined or having your car towed.

All about DUI & DWI

Driving after drinking too much alcohol is known as Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Alcohol slows your reflexing, temporarily lowers your mental acuity and can thus compromise your ability to control a vehicle and drive it safely. And yes, even “buzzed driving” is still drunk driving and can be just as dangerous.

A DUI arrest can lead to expensive consequences, including spending time in jail, a suspended driver’s license and fines. If you hit and/or kill someone while you are driving impaired, the consequences are even worse.

It’s also illegal to have an open container of alcohol in your car. If you’re transporting alcoholic beverages, they should be sealed and in the trunk.

All 50 states have now set .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for Driving Under the Influence, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). For commercial drivers, it’s .04%. And if you’re under 21, it’s zero tolerance – any amount of alcohol is grounds for a DUI arrest.

In some cities, law enforcement officials set up sobriety checkpoints along the road to identify and deter impaired drivers. These are typically set up during holiday weekends or on dates when there might be more drinking and driving.

If you’re stopped at a checkpoint, you’ll be asked several questions and might be asked to perform a sobriety test (like saying the ABC’s backwards, performing some physical movements or breathing into an alcohol sensor). If these tests show that you have high alcohol levels, the police may arrest you.

Winter driving tips

Winter brings all sorts of driving headaches: snow, freezing rain and slush, which all make the roads more hazardous. To handle the hassle of winter driving:

First of all, buckle up. Basic car safety encourages the use of seat belts and car seats at all times. They’re one of your best defenses in a crash. And it’s the law.

Use extra caution in areas that ice up quickly, especially intersections, shaded areas, bridges and overpasses.

Get in the habit of regularly checking weather reports on TV or online so you can prepare for bad weather. On severe weather days, schools and workplaces might close or delay opening. Consider staying at home if you don’t need to be on the road.

Keep an emergency kit in the trunk of your car – including blankets, a first aid kit and jumper cables. Check out our full list of items for your emergency car kit.  

Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and that your car always has a full tank of gas. 

Most importantly Road Rage Kills.

Life, Parenting And Relationships, Safe Driving

The Speed Bug

Anthony Dixon

 

 

The. Speed Bug

Today I wake up to the News that two Highway Murders were going on Trial for taking the Lives of a young Mother and her Infant Child one year ago. Those two Egomaniacs were Racing on a Public Street at speeds over 100 MPH in the middle of the Day, the young Woman was pushing the Stroller while crossing the Street. Wheather or not she was crossing with the Light they didn’t have a chance, this was an illfated Day for the Victims. The two Oxi-morons were probably allowed to post Bonds and go on living their miserable Lives. Drag Racing is been around since Moonshine Running which gave Birth to NASCAR Racing, what is new is the B***h attitude that everyone has in my neck of the Woods when they get behind the Wheel. It doesn’t matter if the Vehicle is thirty years old and poorly maintained People around the Tampa area runs their Vehicles hard with Reckless Abandon and they all posses the B attitude. What they are trying to prove or to whom behooves me, Driving cross-country Commercially and on Leisure Trips I have noticed that the B attitude is of Epidemic porpotion. Road Rage is the offspring of this Attitude, from seventy five to seventeen the Attitude prevails, it doesn’t matter whether they are Educated, Professionals, Men or Women the Attitude Rules our Roadways.

 

 

That’s what separates a Motorist from the Crowd, a Motorist cares for and about his Vehicle and it’s operations, he also cares for his fellow Drivers by always exercising Courtesy and caution. I had the Best Driving Instructor, he told me to always drive like I was the only one on the Road that knows what I am doing, yet he never mentioned anything about being a good Motorist, there is a difference between Motorists” Drivers and vehicle operators. Vehicle Operators have minimum skills, with continuous learning they become good Drivers, a Motorist knows the Dynamics of a Vehicle, it’s capabilities and inadequacies in different Weather conditions and operations. 

 

 

There is no doubt in my Mind that those two Highway Murders didn’t know that at 110 MPH, on a dry Road with good brakes, the Vehicle will skid 340 feet more before stopping. This distance combined with perception and reaction time and distance means you need about 600 feet to stop a Vehicle traveling at 110. MPH and even more with a Pickup Truck. Forget about all the Technical stuff what about Contingencies, it was a clear Day with good weather conditions traveling Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan, I was going five miles over the Speed limit. Out of the Blue a four years old Child chased his Ball into the Street in front of me. Forty years later I still don’t give myself credit for saving his Life, I stopped within six inches of the Child, if the Car had rocked forwards the Catastrophe would have been all mine.

 

 

 

 

That is what being a good Motorist is all about, saving Lives. Being a good Motorist is a practiced way of Driving knowing that whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Taking all into consideration, why would I go Racing my thirty seven Thousand Dollars Plastic and Fiberglass Heap through City Streets, my Car is surrounded with Censors, yet I operate the Vehicle as if there were none. Many years ago while traveling the Vanwycke Highway in Queens, it was early afternoon, I was traveling at 65 ten miles over the Speed limit. Two Brand New Cars blew my Doors off doing 80 +, two hundred yards ahead of me they simultaneously decided to enter the middle Lane, slamming together they littered the Roadway in front of me.

 

 

 

 

I narrowly escaped being part of the Catastrophe by Driving on the Grassy Shoulder, I didn’t stop, there was nothing I could do they needed a Priest. With all the Hands on experience why wouldn’t I strive to be the best Motorist that I can be, and why shouldn’t you. Many Nights I travel the Bayside Bridge at twelve Am, nowhere else in the Tampa area is it more evident that Mindless Drones rules the Roadways, 100+ is not an occasional occurrence, when someone is Barreling towards me I move two Lanes away from them. I believe that the two Mindless Drones that killed the young Mother was exiting a Bridge onto a quiet Street. I see their faces on Television and Moron is written all over them. And so in conclusion don’t be a Moron, Drive like your Life and others depends on your good senses.

 

 

 

 

Incidentally they had just Graduated High School, I know they didn’t have the Money to buy Hot Mustangs. At seventeen my first decent Car came off a used Lot with money earned from working part time, buying my first Car and getting insurance with my own Money taught me Responsibility. Buying your Kids brand new Cars knowing that they are irresponsible, (no one knows a Child more than a Parent) puts the blame for that young Mother’s and Infant’s Death in your Lap. Buying expensive Toys don’t fill the Void of being a Parent.

P.S.  Once again speed kills.

Safe Driving

Bobbleheads Behind The Wheel

Anthony Dixon

Bobbleheads behind the wheel

When I worked in Construction it was standard Knowledge that if as an Apprentice you didn’t learn the job right, fifty years later you still don’t know what you are doing. How Ironic of all the things nowhere is that saying more prevalent than Driving. When I started Driving I made it my job to become better each and every time I got behind the wheel tapping on yesterday’s experience. I have been fortunate to have had some great Teachers, in High School one of them told me to never stop Learning even if I should choose not to go on to higher Learning. My Driving Instructor was another great Teacher he told me to always know where you are on the Road, as in who is behind you( prevents rear End) who is in front of you( focused) who is beside you, he said whenever possible don’t drive side by side, the person beside you could become distracted and run you off the Road.

I have used those  advice for fifty years of Driving and have saved numerous lives including my own, even Deers , Possums and Bears. In my neck of the woods Tampa Florida I have been living here for four years, over that short period of time over twenty Children on their way to School have been killed by Bobblehead Drivers. People who can’t have Sex and chew Gum without missing a stroke. Yet these same people get behind the wheel and the caged Idiot inside them is let loose once they turn the Ignition, thinking that their name is Dale Earnhardt. Dale was one of the best in the World, but when you test the Hand of Fate, you loose. When I was twelve years old I raced Go-carts down Hills with eighty degrees incline, got to the bottom to find that I had no Breaks.

I didn’t remain a Dumb Kid all my Life as most do when it comes to Driving. Paul was a well educated Man, yet when he got behind the wheel of his Mercedes-Benz, Jaguars and BMW’s he crashed them the way I used to crash Go carts. The Last accident almost killed him broke his Neck and Bones he never knew he had. If Suicide is your way out of this Life so be it but what of all your Victims, going out encrusted in Steel and Glass is not what they envisioned when they snapped their Seatbelts. Getting back to Tampa, one Month ago on Eastlake Road a fifteen year old Girl Riding her Bicycle to school was Critically injured while she crossed, unaware of the Bobblehead approaching, I believe she lost the fight. I Commute Eastlake Road daily the Road is 50 MPH yet I have seen people doing 75.

At the Accident scene where the Girl was Critically injured, every day I pass it I look for Skid marks, there are none. Weeks earlier I watched a Truck rolled over three times I immediately parked and ran to their rescue. When I got to the Truck a Man and Woman exited the Vehicle on their Stomachs, I smelled Gas. The question I asked could only come from an experienced Motorist, ” is everyone out of the Vehicle, the Mother frantically reentered the upside down Vehicle and handed me a Car seat with an infant who had not made a sound until I had him, probably knocked out.

On this same Road one Month earlier one of my Neighbors from Holiday lost her Life on her way to work, when I passed the Accident scene I noticed the Tire Tracks off the Road, no one could convince me that speed wasn’t the only factor. Driving like a Bobblehead has its consequences. In the week of January 10th 2019 a High School Kid walking to school was run over knocked in the Berm, she was left for dead by a Heartless person who was either Drunk, had a revoked Licences or no Insurance, they always run away from their dying Victims. Same week one Block from where I used to live a Motorcycle Rider lost his Life, two miles down the Road a fifteen years old on his way to School is critically injured by one of his Teachers.

The Teacher’s excuse, it was 6:55 A.m. it was dark and he didn’t see the Student who crossed the Street in front of him. Well how about this, the Night before coming home at 12Am on Eastlake Road a Possum decided to cross the Road within six feet of me doing sixty, he is ten inches tall with a gray and silver overcoat yet not being Bobblehead I was able to save it’s Life . that’s what great Driving is all about saving Lives. Not Driving further than you can see, not Driving like your name is Dale and not weaving a two Lane Road like a Bobblehead. When I decided to start Blogging about safe Driving I was working as a Valet Driver. It was their careless Driving that motivated me to Blog.

I have seen people Driving three hundred thousand Dollars Vehicles at sixty MPH in a Parking Garage, stopping on a Dime then backed it in a spot at thirty MPH. One of our Driver got caught doing over 100 MPH on US 19 a 55 MPH Zone. I have been Learning to Drive for fifty years, I have the Skills to be a Getaway Driver in a Bank Robbery, yet the way I Drive my Buick Verano you could never tell, the Manufacturer says it does 170 but I will never know if that’s true.

A Nut that I once knew told me that I Drive the way that old People have Sex, funny his Name was Tom, his Driving should have inspired me to write Blogs about safe Driving more than anything else. He was a very Tardy Person never got up on time to go to work and so he wrecked Havoc on the daily Commuting Traffic like most Bobble heads do and that’s why so many kids loose their lives before they ever Lived.